Amazon

[Slamz]

I think you consistently underestimate the power of delivering things cheaply. A lot of people simply won't be buying an iPad if there's something else that's close to as good and sells for a lot less. You can't scoff at that notion without somehow managing to overlook the existence of stores like Wal-Mart. Love em or hate em, they make bank because Americans love paying less for things. (Also probably why everything is made in China.) The average consumer won't raise an eyebrow at advertising as long as it's not too intrusive. They're used to it because as Arsilon implied, unintrusive advertising is already everywhere.

I wouldn't short Apple just yet either, but I move my "Apple Doomsday" clock forward by 1 minute. Snooty posturing and lawyers will get you far in America, but not as far as simply having cheaper products. Apple leans heavily on the "cool" factor, looking to wow you with slick advertising. Amazon, like Wal-Mart, seeks to wow you with cheap prices. "Cool" comes and goes and nobody is cool forever, but cheap prices are timeless.